ROUND ROBIN PHOTO CHALLENGE: Obstruction

When I think of the word 'obstruction' I usually think in terms of visual obstruction.   In nature visual obstruction is rarely accidental.  I have no idea how long this fawn watched me before I became aware of its presence but I'm willing to bet I only saw it because it allowed me to see it.  In this case the obstruction became an enhancement of the setting.  It is also a good example of how easy it would be to miss the wonder of life around you if you are not alert to the subtle signs.

The Round Robin Photo Challenges: Round Robin Photo Challenge: Obstruction!

DENVER MARCH POW WOW 2006

A dramatic sunset  just outside of Denver en route to the Denver March Pow Wow this weekend.   This shot was taken while going about 65 mph along I-25.  I increased the red tones to bring out jet streams crossing the power lines. 

The Denver March Pow Wow is one of the largest Native American gatherings in the country.  Veterans are highly regarded and are honored to carry in the American and Veteran flags during the Grand Entry (opening ceremony).  Current members of the Armed Forces are equally respected.

A young drum group prepares to sing during the Grand Entry.  An offering of tobacco was sprinkled upon the drum's surface.  The drum is considered to be the heartbeat of the people.  Standing next to the drum one can feel one's own heart echoing the beat.

I was not able to do justice to the dancers this year.  The lowlight of the Denver Coliseum did not provide enough light to capture focused shots, even with a tripod.  Flash photography is discouraged so I had to do a lot of experimenting.  Unfortunately with my limited experience I was not able to come up with a happy in-between.  My shots were all either too dark, or blurry.  In truth though, the blur of motion is part of the beauty of the dance.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG... FINALLY! (maybe?)

Temperatures reached the upper 40's this morning so I along with many other folk took advantage of a sunny day off and went outside.  It has been a while since I visited the Garden of the Gods so I headed out that way.  I always get such a nice view of Pikes Peak there, and today was no exception.  I shot this picture while waiting for the hikers to move out of vision so I could take just a scenery shot, but after viewing the pictures later I found the initial shot with the hikers to be more appealing.

I happened across this old bridge and was setting up for a still shot when a biker rode past.  Suddenly the bridge was no longer just a piece of scenery, it was part of a story.

These riders also crossed my plane of sight and I was lost interest in a distant hill in favor of their obvious enjoyment of the day and companionship.  Yes, spring is definitely, finally in the air!

Note to self:  Start carrying the tripod with you!

LIFE IMITATING ART IMITATING LIFE

WEDNESDAY'S MONDAY PHOTO SHOOT, Signs of Spring

I came across this gentleman taking a nap in the warm late morning sun in downtown Colorado Springs this weekend.  By Monday the ground was covered in a blanket of snow.  I have come to the conclusion that the weather in the Rockies is typically one season behind the rest of the country.

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Signs of Spring

ANCIENT ENGINE

Engine 168, a narrow gauge engine, pulled the first Denver & Rio Grande passenger train from Denver, Colorado to Ogden, Utah in May of 1883.  It was retired in 1933 after 50 years of continuous service.  The engine was presented to the City of Colorado Springs in 1938, and it now rests in Antlers Park in downtown Colorado Springs.

I have set up a photo-journal to showcase some of my husband's pictures.  Check it out when you have a chance, its worth the click:  PAPARRAZI BY PROXY

GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER: My husband Steve

PART 1:  Monuments around Washington DC

 

My husband is in Washington DC this week and naturally took my camera so that he could take advantage of the abundance of photo opportunities to be found in our nation's capitol.  I give him a lot of grief about depriving me of my camera, but the truth of the matter is that he has been taking pictures for just as many years as I have and really does have a good eye.  These are just a couple of what I hope are hundreds of pictures he takes of his visit.  The first shot is very easy to identify as the Washington Monument. 

The second is the Korean War Veterans Memorial. This memorial, with its etched reflection wall and larger than life statues, was a priority because both Steve's and my father served during the Korean War.  I also lost an uncle on my mother's side to the fighting there.  I once asked my mother how her mother took the loss of her oldest son, and my mother said that my grandmother was strong and hid her grief, but that her heart had been broken by the loss.  Now, years later and with my own son far away on a distant shore fighting for another country's freedom I have a better idea of just how strong my grandmother was, and just how fragile she must have felt at times.

Beautiful pictures Steve, I wish I was there with you.

ROUND ROBIN PHOTO CHALLENGE

SIGNS~

My camera is still on a business trip out of state with my husband and I have been confined to the older files already stored on my computer for this assignment.

Oh, who am I kidding, I was planning on using this picture all along.  I LOVE it!  I found it during a walk through Manitou Springs in December of last year.  It was hanging in the window of the arcade there along the strip. 

This sign hung next to the ticket window for the old museum in Cripple Creek.  "WE DO NOT WANT CARELESS MEN!"  I'm sure nowdays that would be considered discrimination of some sort.

Wow, I almost forgot about this one.  Las Vegas has some of the coolest store fronts in the country!  My tequila sensor picked up on this one as soon as it came into view during a trip two years ago.  I still haven't forgiven my husband for not stopping there for me.

The Round Robin Photo Challenges: Round Robin Challenge: Signs

RE-ACQUAINTANCE WITH AN OLD FRIEND

My husband went to DC on a business trip and naturally had to take the Nikon to make the most of the treasure of photo opportunities that would be available to him.  That leaves me with the 35mm Minolta.  Once upon a time this camera was considered to be top of the line.  I have captured many wonderful memories within its shutters.  Now I stare incomprehensibly at the dials and buttons, switches and gauges.  I have no idea how to use it any more.  But the hardest to get used to is the drastic difference in exposures and the inability to review and delete unwanted shots.  I went through 48 exposures in a matter of minutes, and there was no deleting of bad shots to make room for more.  Then there was the long developing period (2 days not including the turn in and pickup day), not to mention the cost. ($7 per single print 24 exposure roll including disk). 

No, the colors aren't really that vibrant.  I had to increase the saturation to put a little life into the picture.  I am hoping that it will all come back in time... so I can teach my husband how to use the 35mm and keep his dirty little paws off of my Nikon!

SPRING STORM, and a new lens.

Last night while I was at work my husband went to the camera store uptown and bought a replacement lens for the one that I had fallen on during the summer.  This one is an 18-55mm lens, the same size as the one I broke.  Naturally I had to get out this morning to try out the lens.  Unfortunately the weather was not cooperating and a storm hung menacingly over the pond.  Within an hour of taking this picture the temperature had dropped drastically and we were dusted by little puff balls of snow.

Maybe they greet all of the trails visitors with the same enthusiasm, but I like to think that the deer recognize me.  This doe didn't hesitate to walk over.  I'm sure the fact that I had a couple of apples in my pocket had nothing to do with her response.

Lucky for this squirrel it hadn't shed its winter coat yet.  We have had a relatively mild winter so far but it is not uncommon to get snow in April and May in the foothills of Colorado.

GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER: my son Gabe

"Scouts Out", photograph by Gabe

Today I am featuring a photograph taken by my son Gabe who is currently stationed in Iraq.  My first impression when I saw it was of Washington crossing the Delaware.  There is something so comical about the shot, and yet its hard to forget what led those young men to that location.  I honestly thought that was Gabe standing at the front of the boat and pointing, but am prouder of the fact that he was actually the taker of the picture.  That's my boy! (Look, there's Gabe's shadow on the side of the boat!) 

PUEBLO RIVER WALK

A popular attraction in Pueblo is the Arkansas River Walk.  In 1921 the river flooded and left the city of Pueblo submerged under 11 feet of water.  The river was later diverted to a reservoir and the original river bed dried up, until it was excavated and brought back to life for the 2000 opening of the Arkansas River Walk.  Tucked in between busy streets and tall buildings of Pueblo's historic downtown district, the park's boardwalk atmosphere offers a relaxing get away for tourists and residents alike.

This is just one of the many statues and sculptures that grace the pathways along the river's edge.  This particular series of children at play is by local artist Rick Willits.

It is hard to believe that this peaceful river had once turned into a raging monster that took the lives of 100 people.  What was once the cause of great devastation and despair is now the source of joy and pleasure.

 

Cool, clear, water.....

ROUND ROBIN PHOTO CHALLENGE: The Animal Inside

My inner animal would have to be the silver back gorilla.  But not just any old silver back gorilla.... THIS silver back gorilla!  I met her at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo where I happily took advantage of the photo opportunity she availed me as she sat there nibbling on some grass.  Unfortunately she did not take kindly to paparazzi and indicated her displeasure to the invasion of her privacy in no uncertain terms.  I had to laugh and take one more shot, but I could totally relate to her attitude.  Ah yes, the freedom of expression!  She is soooooo ME!